ZAGREB, April 4 (Hina) - Relations between Croatia and Finland are based on a common European future, and there are no open issues in bilateral relations, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and his Finnish counterpart Erkki
Tuomioja said after an hour-long talks in Zagreb Wednesday. The Croatian relations are primarily based on a joint European future, Picula said and added he had informed the Finnish minister of the steps the Croatian government took in the last ten months regarding the implementation if reforms necessary for Croatia's approaching the European Union. According to Picula, the two ministers discusses the situation in the region five months after the holding of the Zagreb Summit, stressing that despite the real progress, Southeast Europe was still going through a turbulent period. "Croatia is a stabile country, but our southeastern neighbours are still going through a difficult transition p
ZAGREB, April 4 (Hina) - Relations between Croatia and Finland are
based on a common European future, and there are no open issues in
bilateral relations, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and
his Finnish counterpart Erkki Tuomioja said after an hour-long
talks in Zagreb Wednesday.
The Croatian relations are primarily based on a joint European
future, Picula said and added he had informed the Finnish minister
of the steps the Croatian government took in the last ten months
regarding the implementation if reforms necessary for Croatia's
approaching the European Union.
According to Picula, the two ministers discusses the situation in
the region five months after the holding of the Zagreb Summit,
stressing that despite the real progress, Southeast Europe was
still going through a turbulent period.
"Croatia is a stabile country, but our southeastern neighbours are
still going through a difficult transition period and must overcome
temptations they will face in the next several years," Picula said,
adding the Croatian government was ready to help its neighbours to
overcome difficulties by expanding the grounds for economic
cooperation and political understanding.
The Croatian minister expressed satisfaction with a fact that a
progress had been achieved in negotiations on a Stabilisation and
Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union.
The government is aware that by signing the agreement it is assuming
serious obligations, Picula said, adding he asked for Finland's
support, particularly in the form of expert assistance in
overcoming obstacles in the adjustment of Croatia's administration
and public sector to EU standards.
There are no problems in relations between the two countries,
Tuomioja said.
The Finnish minister expressed satisfaction with very responsible
standpoints of the Croatian government toward Bosnia-Herzegovina
and Macedonia, adding it was important that the international
community, the European Union, as well as the United States and
Russia have the same standpoint and act together.
We have to patiently work on the reconstruction, reforms and re-
establishment of trust among nations in the region, Toumioja said,
adding the EU played the crucial role.
The EU member-countries are ready to play their parts and offer help
to the region and Croatia in the form of concrete projects, and the
SAA will open, or rather confirm, Croatia's prospective and future,
so Croatia can become an example to other countries in the region,
the Finnish minister concluded, expressing hope that other
countries in the region would take the same path as Croatia.
Croatian President Stipe Mesic and Prime Minister Ivica Racan will
receive the Finnish foreign minister later today.
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